Ben Askren finished Robbie Lawler with a seemingly not locked in choke at UFC 235. On Twitter, pro fighters were displeased with the referee’s stoppage.
Ben Askren won his Octagon debut, but it didcome with some controversy. After surviving some heavy ground-and-pound from Robbie Lawler early into the first round at UFC 235, ‘Funky’ managed to catch the former champion with a bulldog choke and score a submission win, but it was unclear if ‘Ruthless’ was ever unconscious from the hold. On Twitter, pro fighters were not happy with the result.
Lawler looks like he is in great shape. So excited for this fight. #UFC235
— Mike Trizano (@TheLoneWolfMMA) March 3, 2019
Is Robby Lawler the scariest looking dude in the @ufc ?
— Jamie Varner (@jamievarner) March 3, 2019
Lawler lookin bigger then usual
— Nick Newell (@NotoriousNewell) March 3, 2019
Welcome to the UFC!!
— Mike Brown (@mikebrownmma) March 3, 2019
Hahahaha excellent takedown.
— Mike Pierce (@MikePierce170) March 3, 2019
Welcome to the @UFC Askren #SHEESSSSHHH #UFC236
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) March 3, 2019
Wow! #ufc235
— Vinc Pichel (@FromHellPichel) March 3, 2019
Holy poop!! that was the most intense round of the year! Welcome @Benaskren #ufc235
— Julian marquez (@JMarquezMMA) March 3, 2019
Oh nooooo! #UFC235 what a comeback by Askren, my goodness but Lawler was NOT out! Wow! #UFC235
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) March 3, 2019
Congratulations to @Benaskren on the hard fought victory over @Ruthless_RL!!!
— KEN SHAMROCK (@ShamrockKen) March 3, 2019
Good job Herb. Way to fuck up another one. #terrible #UFC235
— Mike Pierce (@MikePierce170) March 3, 2019
dammmn. Terrible way to win and a terrible way to lose !
— Chris Weidman (@chrisweidman) March 3, 2019
Lawler looked entirely out from a bully choke, and I thought he went limp too, but turns out he was ok? Askren gets the win in what was a crazy fight #ufc235
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) March 3, 2019
Probably can’t respond with a arm around his mouth.
— Will Brooks (@ILLxWillBrooks) March 3, 2019
What a zombie mode attack from Askren crazy #UFC235
— Nordine Taleb (@TNT83MMA) March 3, 2019
BULLSHIIIIIIIT!!
— Bec Rawlings (@RowdyBec) March 3, 2019
Crazy fight! @Benaskren @Ruthless_RL I can’t believe that fight!
— @CrisCyborg on IG #CyborgNation (@criscyborg) March 3, 2019
Congrats @Benaskren gangster shit!
— Erik Jon Koch (@NEWBREED04) March 3, 2019
Fucking bullshit… @Ruthless_RL got robbed… what a fucking joke #UFC234 #ufc
— Nik Lentz (@NikLentz) March 3, 2019
Wow @HerbDeanMMA should never ref another fight again! You just stole that moment from Robby Lawler! What a joke! And you supposedly train? Be an honorable man and resign!
— Jamie Varner (@jamievarner) March 3, 2019
@Benaskren now you need to stay humble. You got pieced up
— Nasrat Haqparast (@Nasrat_mma) March 3, 2019
THAT FIGHT GOTTA BE NO CONTEST AND AUTOMATICALLY REMATCH BS DECISION ??? ??? ???
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) March 3, 2019
BEN ASKREN SUCKS ??? ???
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) March 3, 2019
Damn Herb
— Eryk Anders (@erykanders) March 3, 2019
It’s a choke. Let it go. Worst case scenario, he goes to sleep.
Bad stoppage imo.— Nathan Quarry (@NateRockQuarry) March 3, 2019